Necticut



c. F. SMYTH. INFLATABLE FABRIC BOAT AND BED 0R CUSHION.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16. I920.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI l.

31w 0*; Chaplets]? a CL m C. F. SMYTH.

INFLATABLE FABRIC BOAT AND BED 0R CUSHION.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16, 1920.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

C. F. SMYTH.

INFLATABLE FABRIC BOAT AND BED 0R CUSHION.

APPLICATION FILED 1ULYI6, I920.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

J Q. M

.uNiTEo s'ra'Lri-znr o I CHARLES Ff SMYTH, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR 'IO CONNECTICUT AIRCRAFT COMPANY, 01 NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A. CORPORATION OF CON- nacrrcncr.

INFLATABLE FABRIC BOAT mt BED on. CUSHION.

Application filed July 16,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLESF. S wY'rH, a citizen of the United States, resld ng at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful improvements in Inflatable F abric Boats and Beds or Cushions, of which the following is a specification.

.This invention relates to a combination boat and bed or cushion, and particularly to an inflatable fabric device of this character of the readily portable type, one obyect of the invention being to provide a simp e, strong,

durable and comparatively inexpensive con-.

struction of combined boat and bed or cushion which in its use as a boat may be conveniently propelled by oars or the like over the surface of the water.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inflatable combination fabric boat and bed or cushion which is capable of carrying one or more passengers, of being uickly inflated for use and of being deflated and folded. in compact form for storage or transportation, and which is provided with a plurality of air compartments to insure a high degree of buoyancy and safety under varying conditions of service.

A still further object of the invention is to rovide a simple type of lightweight com ined portable boat and bed or cushion for the use of hunters, trappers, sportsmen, fishermen, campers, and others, which is reversible for use as a pneumatic pad or mattress to furnish a comfortable camp-bed or lounge or seat cushion, and which is also adapted for use as a float and pleasure craft at bathing beaches and similar resorts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simple type of light weight combination portable boat and bed or cushion which is reversible from boat service posifor use as a float and pleasure craft at bath ing beaches and similar resorts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide simple and effective means for Specification of Letters Patent.

1920. Serial No. 396,794.

holding the device folded and enabling it to be carr ed 1n 9. ready and convenient manner.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide means for rendering the flexible bottom of the boat temporarily rigid so that a hunter or fisherman may conveniently stand upright in the craft when desired.

The invention consists of the features of constructlon, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Flgure is a-perspective view of an inflatable combined fabric boat and bed lounge or cushion constructed in accordance with my invention.

2 is a top plan view of the same.

I F 1g. 3 is a central vertical transverse sect1on through the device.

Flg. 4 is a view of the device as reversed {91: use as a pneumatic bed, lounge or the Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the flexible partitions per 86.

Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively views of the devlce as it appears when partly folded and as completely folded for storage or transportation.

ig. 8 is a plan view showing the use of a r1 1d platform in connection with the craft.

1g. 9 1s a view of the invention as embodied in a small one-man type of combination boat and cushion.

In the practical embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, I provide a combined boat and bed or cushion l which is generally of oblong rectangular form in plan, and includes an outer inflatable frame comprising the hollow cylindrical side portions or floats 2 and the hollow cylindrical end portions or floats 3. These portions or floats 2 and 3 are made of a rubberized or other suitable flexable waterproof fabric, and are adapted to collapse into flat or substantially flat form and to be inflated into substantially cylindrical form. Each cylindrical portion 2 and 3 may be formed of a strip of fabric having its longitudinal edges directed inwardly and overlapped and suitably united, as indicated at 4, along the inner side of the cylinder. The cylinders 2 and 3 may be united at their adj acent ends in any suitable manner, as by having their end edges meet at a suitable angle at the corners Patented Oct. 4, 1921. v

of the frame and united by suitable seams 5,

the end portions of the cylinders 3 being wit in the space bounded by the pneumatic frame formed by the cylindrical sides and ends 2 and 3, and is "disposed at a oint below the horizontal centers of the oats and adjacent to but slightly above the lower surfaces of such floats when the latter are completely inflated. The arrangement is thus such that when the craft is fully 1nfiated and afloat and in its normal ,upright osition for use as'a boat, the bottom 6 may ie slightly above the submerged bases of the cylinders or floats, and thus decrease the depth of submergence and diminish resistance in the travel of the craft. The arrangement of the bottom 6 is also such as to form a cabin or compartment of some depth and surrounded by the unsubmerged upper portions of the hollow cylinders for the reception of the occupant or occupants of the craft, such submerged upper portlons of the cylinders providing a comparatively deep gunwale entirely around the cabin or compartment and of a sufficient height above the level of the water to prevent waves from dashing over in ordinary weather. In such use one of the cylinders 3 will also form a back rest of adequate depth to comfortably support the back of the operator when seated in the compartment and engaged in rowing, fishing or other occupations. The arrangement of the bottom 6 between the horizontal center and bottom surface of the float frame is also of advantage in adapting the device to be used as a pneumatic bed or cushion. In such use the device is simply reversed or turned over, bottom side uppermost, in which osition the flexible bottom 6 will lie above t e horizontal center of the pneumatic frame and provide a shallow bedstead with a flexible bottom or mattress yieldingly supported. by the pneumatic c linders having their normally upper sur aces resting on the floor or ground. When thus arranged the side and end cylinders will form the sides and end portions of an exceedin ly comfortable bedstead and the end cy inders will project suiiiciently so that either one may serve as a soft and yielding pillow or head-rest, the surface of which Wlll not lie at an ob'ectionable elevation above the level of the ed bottom 6.

The bottom 6 is of a form to extend around the inner surfaces of the cylinders 2 and 3, and its marginal edges 7 are preferably turned u ward at an an le along the inner sides '0 said cylinders 1n alinement with the seams 4 and are stitched or otherwise suitably secured to said cylinders. For

means:

the purpose of reinforcing the device along the corner seams 5 reinforcing strips 8 are extended over such sea ns and stitched or cemented or both stitched and "cemented to the cylinders. Reinforcing strips or tapes 9 of suitable wate roof fabric also extend around theedges o the bottom 6 and 'over- 7 lap the same and the adjacent ortions of the cylinders 2 and 3 above an below the bottom 6, and are stitched or cemented or 5 both stitched and cemented to the bottom and cylinders. Sta s 10 are also similarly secured at the points of junction of the corners. of the cylinders 2 and 3 and the bottom 6 to strengthen and reinforce the adjacent, portions of such elements at these points. The stays increase the strength and durability of the parts of the combination boat and bed structure at the points where they are a plied and also cover the seams to reduce liability of leakage of air from the cylinders or the entrance of water thereto, and by the use of a waterproof cement the connections alon the joints or seams e may be made abso utely air and water tight.

The air chambers formed by the cylinders 2 and 3 are sub-divided into compartments by flexible partitions 10. Each of these partitions 10 consists of a. substantially cone-shaped flexible rubber or fabric body having at its base or widest portion a cylindrical flange 11 secured to the inner surface of the cylinder in which it is disposed. These partitions are preferably arranged about midway of the length of the res ective cylinders 2 and 3, thus sub-divi ing each cylinder so as to form with the adjoining portion of an adjacent cylinder an air compartment, such air compartments being closed against communication with each other. By this means a plurality of compartments are provided for holding air, so that in the event of damage to the craft and leakage of air from any compartment the buoyancy furnished by the inflation of the remaining compartment or compartments will keep the craft afloat. A checkvalved inflation tube 12 is provided for communication with each air compartment so 115 that the cylinders or floats may be readily and quickly inflated. These valved tubes also allow the cylinders or floats to be quickly deflated so that the boat may be collapsed in a substantially flat condition 1 0 and folded for ready and convenient storage and transportation. By making the partitions of substantially conical form they are adapted to readily fold when the cylinders are collapsed so that the device 125 may be easily folded and packed, as hereinafter described. Such form of the partitions also allows the fabric of which the c linders are formed to stretch without p acing tensional strains on the partitions. 180

The device when disposed for use as a boat, as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, may be propelled over t '6 surface of the water by means of oars or paddles of any suitable type. In 'the present instance have shown the side floats or cylinders 2 of the craft 1 provided on their upper surfaces, about midway of their length, with loops 13, which form handles whereby the craft may be carried and manipulated and which also are adapted to serve as oar looks through which paddles or oars 14 may be passed andmanipulated for use, as shown in Fig. 1. For the purpose of sustaining the wear from the paddles when the latter tion w1th the craft a llght-welght slatted are manipulated protector strips 15 may be provided and secured to the upper surfaces of the cylinders 2, said strips also sufliciently stiffening the surfaces of the cylinders at such points to avoid any tendency of the cylinders to buckle when the oars are operated and the craft is propelled through the water.

The device as particularly shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and which is of oblong rectangular form, is designed to provide what I term a two-man boat. This may be of any proper width and of a length to allow a single occupant to sit therein with legs fully extended, as illustrated in Fig. 1, or to allow two persons to be seated, in which event the occupants, one of whom may manipulate the oars, may sit at opposite ends of the craft facing each other and with their legs crossed Turkish-fashion or otherwise arranged so that the may be comfortable and interference wit the body movements of the oarsman prevented. A craft of this style may be of such size that, when reversed for use as a bed or lounge, either one or two persons may recline for rest or sleep thereon, or it will serve as a seat cushion to accommodate a number of persons at a time.

When the device is deflected it is adapted to collapse into substantially flat form and may then be folded and secured in folded form to enable it to be closely packed and readily carried. For convenience in securing the device in folded condition and carrying it by hand, I preferably provide a carrier-wrapper which is a permanent fixture of the device. This consists of a wrapper strip 16 of suitable form stitched, as indicated at 17, to the upper surface of the bottom 6-on parallel lines lying inwardly of its side edges, leaving the side and end edges of the wrapper free. The two side edges of the wrapper are provided with eyelets 18 for the reception of a lacing cord 19 whereby such edges maybe secured together to hold the wrapper confined about, the folded and collapsed structure bound therein. Of course, any other suitable means for uniting the side edges may be employed. The

wrapper may be provided at one end with a flap 20 to be turned in between the folds of the body 1 to make the same more compact and secure, and said wrapper is also pro- I vided with a hand lodp 21 whereby the wrappedstructure 1 maybe easily and conveniently carried. In the operation of folding the structure 1 it is first folded longitudinally along suitable lines and then rolled or folded transversely upon itself so as to lie substantially within the bounds of the wrapper 16, which is passed around the folded body 1 and secured as previously described.

There may be provided for use in connecplatform 22 of a form and size to fit within the frame and upon the bottom 6. This may. be of a folding type and arranged to be carried in any convenient manner. Its object is to provide a support on which the occupant, a hunter or fisherman, for example, may stand upright in shooting or fly casting, etc., so as to properly distribute his weight over the bottom 6 and prevent sagging of the latter, thus enabling the occupant to have a firm and secure footing, as will be readily understood.

In Fig. 9 I have shown the embodiment of the invention in what I term'a one-man craft, 2'. e., of such size, when used as a boat, as to accommodate a single occupant. In this embodiment the body 1 is of square or slightly oblong rectangular form and is of the same structure as the two-man craft before described, differing therefrom only in slight details. For instance, with this construction I may use either two or four partitions to divide the floats into a correspondin number of compartments, and the combine hand-loops and oar locks in this one-man craft near one end of the craft for pro er arm,-reach in manipulating the oars. 'Fhe occupant sits in this smaller craft with legs crossed and folded and the device is of such size that when reversed it will serve as a short lounge or seat-cushion on which a person may recline and rest or on which one or more persons may comfortably seat themselves.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention provides an inflatable and collapsible fabric combination boat and bed or cushion which is simple of construction and may be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost, and which may be conveniently handled and transported and is capable of being folded and carried in the hand or upon the person of the user or of being readily and conveniently transported upon an automobile or other vehicle. It is especiall adapted for the use of hunters, trappers, shermen and others, desirin the use of a combined boat and bed which 1s staunch and safe when afloat, or

for use as a pleasure craft and for many other analogous uses. Furthermore, without any change of structure whatever, it provides a convenient couch on which the user may seat himself or recline and rest when desired and on which he may sleep in a comfortable manner.

It will be understood, of course, that I reserve the ri ht to employ the invention for an or all 0% the urposes described.

aving thus ully described my invention, I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising an outer rectangular inflatable frame portion composed of permanently connected side cylinders and end cylinders, flexible coneshaped partitions disposed within said cylinders and sub-dividing the same into air compartments, means for inflatin and deflating said compartments, and a flexlble bottom surrounded by said cylinders and permanently secured thereto between the upper and lower surfaces thereof.

2. A device of the character described comprising an oblong rectangular inflatable frame structure composed of permanently connected side cylinders and end cylinders, flexible tone shaped partitions centrally subdividing the respective cylinders into separate air compartments, conjointly formed by adjacent y halves of adjoining cylinders, means for inflatin and deflating the cylinders, and a flexib e bottom surrounded by the cylinders and marginally secured to the inner faces of said cylinders between the upper and lower surfaces thereof.

3. A device of the character describedcomprising an outer inflatable frame portion and an impervious flexible bottom surrounded thereby and permantly secured to the inner surface thereof, said bottom being arranged between the horizontal center and bottom surface of said frame structure.

4. A device of the character described comprising an inflatable outer frame arranged to surround a central space, a flexible bottom dis osed in said central space and secured to t e outer frame, and a wrapper secured to said flexible bottom and adapted to be passed about the collapsed and folded structure for securing it in such condition.

5. In a device of the class described, a substantially rectangular foldable frame comprisin permanently connected collapsible cylin ers open to each other at their ends, collapsible air-tight partitions in each cylinder at a point substantially midway the endsthereof, whereby the said frame includes air-tight compartments including a part of one each of adj'oining angularly disposed sides of the frame, means whereby the said compartments may be inflated independent of each other, and a bottom formed of flexible material fitted into said frame and secured at its edges to the sides thereof.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

- CHARLES F. SMYTH. 

